Definitions for escheatɛsˈtʃit

This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word escheat

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

escheat(noun)

a reversion to the state (as the ultimate owner of property) in the absence of legal heirs

escheat(noun)

the property that reverts to the state

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

escheat(Noun)

The return of property of a deceased person to the state (originally to a feudal lord) where there are no legal heirs or claimants.

escheat(Noun)

The property so reverted.

escheat(Noun)

Plunder, booty.

escheat(Verb)

to revert by this process

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

Escheat(noun)

the falling back or reversion of lands, by some casualty or accident, to the lord of the fee, in consequence of the extinction of the blood of the tenant, which may happen by his dying without heirs, and formerly might happen by corruption of blood, that is, by reason of a felony or attainder

Escheat(noun)

the reverting of real property to the State, as original and ultimate proprietor, by reason of a failure of persons legally entitled to hold the same

Escheat(noun)

a writ, now abolished, to recover escheats from the person in possession

Escheat(noun)

lands which fall to the lord or the State by escheat

Escheat(noun)

that which falls to one; a reversion or return

Escheat(verb)

to revert, or become forfeited, to the lord, the crown, or the State, as lands by the failure of persons entitled to hold the same, or by forfeiture

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

Escheat

Escheat is a common law doctrine which transfers the property of a person who dies without heirs to the crown or state. It serves to ensure that property is not left in "limbo" without recognized ownership. It originally applied to a number of situations where a legal interest in land was destroyed by operation of law, so that the ownership of the land reverted to the immediately superior feudal lord.